The Irish standard., 1887-12-03
q. MARROW ESCAPE.
An Anec,lDte Of 5tf Z, Late II. Ii. w *sshburna

An Anectl0te OF the Late II. b. Washburna
Related by Colonel Lamon.s
The death Of Hon. E. B. Washburne 1e-
minds the Washing gton. cores spondent OF the
Philadelphia Leflysr Of an incident related by
Ward H. I4a1non. Colonel Lamon was Mr.
I4incoln's travelling companion on his cele-
brated journey from Springfield, Ill, to
Washington, when the President-elect was
on his way to assume the Office Of President.
The air was full of rumors Of plots for the
assassination Of the President-e}ect: aud in
consequence Of a report that an attempt
would be made On his life at Baltimore the
programme arranged for the trip to Wash
ington was suddenly changed. and Mr.. Lin
coin, who had gone from Philadelphia to
Harrisburg, the intention being to proceed
from the latter place to Baltimore, was
brought back to Philadelphia and placed on
the regular midnight train leaving that city
for the capital. In addition to Colonel La
mon Mr.. Lincoln had as body guard Allan
Pinkerton and another detective. Nh.
Washburne was the only man in Washing
ton who knew that the Fresident-elect
would arrive at the capital in the early
morning instead Of in the afternoon, as was
originally proposed The arrival Of Mr.
Lincoln at the capital is best told in Colonel
Lannon's own words.
"I never closed my eyes, said Colonel
Lamon, during the trip from Philadelphia
to Washington. The story OF the cloak and
Scotch cap to disguise Mr. Lincoln had no
foundation. There was no attempt at dis
guise and no occasion for it. We reached
Baltimore at daybreak, and, as the cars
were being examined and made ready for
the transfer through Baltimore from the
President street depot to that at Camden
street we could hear the remarks made by
the trainlnen and those about the station in
reference to the anticipated arrival OF Lin
coin during the afternoon OF that day. Mr..
Lincoln and myself remained in the berth
until the train left Baltimore. [ did not
knew, nor did aIr. Lincoln expect, Mr..
Washburrlc was to meet him at the depot i'll
Washington. Beside [ did not know Mr..
Washburne by sight. On reaching Wash
ington we left the train and proceeded with
the other passengers toward the large room,
OF the Baltimore & Ohio depot fronting On
New jersey avenue, intending to pass
through to the street, and taking a car
riage drive to the residence Of iiluu II.
Seward. When we reached the waiting
room 81 man approached Mr. Lincoln. laid
his hand on the shoulder Of the President
elect, and called his name. paid no utt,en-
oo14 HS H1An" LIZ oSiNt. otit Ill teii
pistol was at his head. ;s was also that of
Allan Pinkerton. Mr.. Lincoln grasped my
aGln and said; Ward this is bir. Wash.
burnss You must be careful Of QUE friends
replied: mt. Wasi,hu,ne should have
more sense than to acccst you in this place
in suck a manner.
''Althongh I afGeryyard became well ac-
quainted witt, Mr.. Vashburne. he never
forgave nle for this demonstration. have
often thought Of tlijs incident, and could
never explain to myself how Mr.. Wash
burne escaped death that morning from my
pistol or that Of Allan PinlSerton. Had Mr.
Lincoln first seen and recognized Mr.. Wash
blicnc it would not have aroused our sus~
picions, But Mr.. Lincoln did not see Nh
Washhurne Until his hand was laid On Lin
coins shoulder and until Mr.. Washburne
called lis name. ltwas 8. very close call fox
Mr.. W'ashburne.'f